Moving to China in a Month, Will I still be able to access and play my library?

[ɴᴀᴏᴍᴀꜱᴀ]

So I'll be moving from Italy to China in a month, and of course I'll be bringin over my laptop and I'm wondering wether will I still be able to play the games already in my library or not. I've found some very old thread about it but they seems confused in the different answers and I'd like to have some more recent experience feedback if anyone has been in the same situation. Keep in mind that I don't mind not being able to buy new games as I have a lot of backlog already and I dont even think I'll have enough time to play through all of them, but of course it would be a plus being able to. Thanks to anyone who may give me an insight

[unbuff]

引用自 Taki7o7：

you should use a VPN anyway, specially in china ^^

yes if you like China's prisons.

引用自 n3om4nCZ：

引用自 ɴᴀᴏᴍᴀꜱᴀ：

I thought about that and I’ll be certainly using it on my phone, but I am also afraid the vpn could create issues with my account? Like I read of banned accounts for using vpns, is that really a thing ?

I'm using VPN and still ok - no ban, no blocked payment, no problem with download etc.

Only FB blocked my account once because of VPN but it's FB :gman: .

You've been lucky, it's not a proof of it being allowed nor recommended.

[Howardohyea]

As someone who’s already in China, I can give a few tips. Normal Steam functionality such as Friends and Chat is still accessible without VPN, Store is also open, all payment methods should be supported and so are game downloads. The Steam servers in China should handle downloads at around 5MB/s without much issue so gaming it is completely fine.

One thing to keep in mind is that steamcommunity.com is BANNED in China, but a VPN will bypass it and you can use it as normal.

Using VPN will not lead to your account being disabled/banned, and finally trading (which uses Steam Community) is available with VPN

引用自 Ettanin：

Using a VPN violates the Steam Subscriber Agreement and can, if used to circumvent regional restrictions, lead to account suspension.
https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content, to purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your access to your Account.

Using VPN in China for accessing Steam Community is fine, it only mentioned game content, and Steam Community isn't game content.

Final thing, games in China seems to be much cheaper when purchased via CNY instead of USD (often half the price without any discounts), and if you use a VPN to access this loophole when you're not in China, this will result in a ban

[Howardohyea]

引用自 unbuff：

引用自 Taki7o7：

you should use a VPN anyway, specially in china ^^

yes if you like China's prisons.

引用自 n3om4nCZ：

I'm using VPN and still ok - no ban, no blocked payment, no problem with download etc.

Only FB blocked my account once because of VPN but it's FB :gman: .

You've been lucky, it's not a proof of it being allowed nor recommended.

how will China know you're using a VPN, they have the "Great Firewall" but using VPN won't get you into prison

[Mad Scientist]

Why would you move from italy to china?

Your library should be fine as-is, but certain features may be disabled/banned by the region itself and purchases may potentially be restricted. Though it seems you're fine with this last part regardless.

As also pointed out, I wouldn't recommend attempting a VPN from within there.
Also if you're a foreigner, it's best you say absolutely nothing about the government. Anything you say on social media while in that region can also get you into serious trouble depending on what it is, so be careful overall. I'd not recommend going there TBH...

Enjoy your library though. At least you'll have entertainment. Make sure to get any power adapters you might need for their power if it differs from yours.

[Howardohyea]

引用自 Mr. Gentlebot：

Why would you move from italy to china?

Your library should be fine as-is, but certain features may be disabled/banned by the region itself and purchases may potentially be restricted. Though it seems you're fine with this last part regardless.

As also pointed out, I wouldn't recommend attempting a VPN from within there.
Also if you're a foreigner, it's best you say absolutely nothing about the government. Anything you say on social media while in that region can also get you into serious trouble depending on what it is, so be careful overall. I'd not recommend going there TBH...

Enjoy your library though. At least you'll have entertainment. Make sure to get any power adapters you might need for their power if it differs from yours.

VPN is FINE, trust me, how am I not in prison for basically using VPN 24/7?

Edit: I haven't seen any purchase related restrictions, that's more for Steam China instead of the Global Steam version we're using

[Mad Scientist]

引用自 Howardohyea：

VPN is FINE, trust me, how am I not in prison for basically using VPN 24/7?

I never suggested you'd get prison for using a VPN, but it can result in this:

https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content, to purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your access to your Account.

引用自 Howardohyea：

Edit: I haven't seen any purchase related restrictions, that's more for Steam China instead of the Global Steam version we're using

For now.

[ɴᴀᴏᴍᴀꜱᴀ]

引用自 Howardohyea：

As someone who’s already in China, I can give a few tips. Normal Steam functionality such as Friends and Chat is still accessible without VPN, Store is also open, all payment methods should be supported and so are game downloads. The Steam servers in China should handle downloads at around 5MB/s without much issue so gaming it is completely fine.

One thing to keep in mind is that steamcommunity.com is BANNED in China, but a VPN will bypass it and you can use it as normal.

Using VPN will not lead to your account being disabled/banned, and finally trading (which uses Steam Community) is available with VPN

引用自 Ettanin：

Using a VPN violates the Steam Subscriber Agreement and can, if used to circumvent regional restrictions, lead to account suspension.
https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

Using VPN in China for accessing Steam Community is fine, it only mentioned game content, and Steam Community isn't game content.

Final thing, games in China seems to be much cheaper when purchased via CNY instead of USD (often half the price without any discounts), and if you use a VPN to access this loophole when you're not in China, this will result in a ban

Thank you, I ve been hoping to have feedback from someone already in the country. Thanks again

[ɴᴀᴏᴍᴀꜱᴀ]

引用自 Mr. Gentlebot：

Why would you move from italy to china?

Your library should be fine as-is, but certain features may be disabled/banned by the region itself and purchases may potentially be restricted. Though it seems you're fine with this last part regardless.

As also pointed out, I wouldn't recommend attempting a VPN from within there.
Also if you're a foreigner, it's best you say absolutely nothing about the government. Anything you say on social media while in that region can also get you into serious trouble depending on what it is, so be careful overall. I'd not recommend going there TBH...

Enjoy your library though. At least you'll have entertainment. Make sure to get any power adapters you might need for their power if it differs from yours.

I got a very good job in a big company so I’m pursuing my career path, why wouldn’t I go ? 😅

[Mad Scientist]

引用自 ɴᴀᴏᴍᴀꜱᴀ：

引用自 Mr. Gentlebot：

Why would you move from italy to china?

Your library should be fine as-is, but certain features may be disabled/banned by the region itself and purchases may potentially be restricted. Though it seems you're fine with this last part regardless.

As also pointed out, I wouldn't recommend attempting a VPN from within there.
Also if you're a foreigner, it's best you say absolutely nothing about the government. Anything you say on social media while in that region can also get you into serious trouble depending on what it is, so be careful overall. I'd not recommend going there TBH...

Enjoy your library though. At least you'll have entertainment. Make sure to get any power adapters you might need for their power if it differs from yours.

I got a very good job in a big company so I’m pursuing my career path, why wouldn’t I go ? 😅

I suppose that's a good reason, though I'm guessing you've not seen a lot of world actions & politics especially involving the region. Though, that's more of a political discussion, I would strongly suggest researching the region in its entirety, especially depending on what you are & any belief system you may have.

If at least that city would be good to you & let you do your job, you should be fine, though I strongly advise to keep your head down and be extremely careful what you say about the government; if it isn't positive, don't say anything.

Other than that, good luck, you'll probably need it. Keep in mind the advise for a power adapter(s) though, I have not looked up the difference in power or power outlets from italy vs china, so you'll need to check and get one accordingly in order to enjoy your library while you're there.

[Radene]

引用自 Ettanin：

Using a VPN violates the Steam Subscriber Agreement and can, if used to circumvent regional restrictions, lead to account suspension.
https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

So, if I use VPN to log into a work network because I just got an urgent call and need to look at what the servers are doing, I'm violating the SSA?

[Kalderus]

Be advised that you will need to get the Sino-Vac vaccine if going to Mainland China/PRC, regardless of whether or not you already have another one (Pfizer/Moderna etc.)

[ɴᴀᴏᴍᴀꜱᴀ]

引用自 Kalderus：

Be advised that you will need to get the Sino-Vac vaccine if going to Mainland China/PRC, regardless of whether or not you already have another one (Pfizer/Moderna etc.)

Is that so? I’m not in the eligible age range yet, but in case there was a chance before leaving I would have done the J&J as it’s a single dose, but if what you are saying it’s true then I won’t bother at all. Can I ask you where did u learn that from? I’ll ask the HR for the company I got hired from anyway

[Crashed]

引用自 ɴᴀᴏᴍᴀꜱᴀ：

引用自 Kalderus：

Be advised that you will need to get the Sino-Vac vaccine if going to Mainland China/PRC, regardless of whether or not you already have another one (Pfizer/Moderna etc.)

Is that so? I’m not in the eligible age range yet, but in case there was a chance before leaving I would have done the J&J as it’s a single dose, but if what you are saying it’s true then I won’t bother at all. Can I ask you where did u learn that from? I’ll ask the HR for the company I got hired from anyway

Is the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine not available to 12+, or at the very least 16+, in your country?

[BossGalaga]

I would recommend that you research travel advisories for China from your country's embassy/government website.

[Howardohyea]

引用自 Mr. Gentlebot：

引用自 Howardohyea：

VPN is FINE, trust me, how am I not in prison for basically using VPN 24/7?

I never suggested you'd get prison for using a VPN, but it can result in this:

https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/

You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content, to purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your access to your Account.

引用自 Howardohyea：

Edit: I haven't seen any purchase related restrictions, that's more for Steam China instead of the Global Steam version we're using

For now.

Like I pointed out earlier, as long as you're not using VPN to your advantage and purchase a game elsewhere in another currency for a cheaper price or access game content, you're good to go. Steam Community and Chat is NOT a game content, which won't result in a ban